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RARE ALTA WINS THE TENTH FLYING SCOTSMAN RALLY

A rare 1939 Alta, crewed by Gareth Burnett and Matthew Vokes, has won the tenth anniversary run of the Flying Scotsman Rally. Driver Gareth Burnett has won the event twice before in 2013 and 2016, both at the wheel of a Talbot 105 Alpine, making the first driver to score a hat-trick.

Burnett said: “It was probably the toughest event yet with the best competition. But the real joy was in bringing this car to this event when no one thought it would even finish it – and that included me!”

Although an experienced classic rally navigator, this was Vokes first ever vintage rally and the first time he’d met Burnett. Vokes said: “It’s been a real experience, great route, fantastic competition and cracking company. You couldn’t ask for more really.”

The winners beat off strong competition from fellow two-time winner William Medcalf, with navigator Andy Pullen, who finished just .07 behind the leaders in the 1925 Bentley Super Sports. Bill Cleyndert and Dan Harrison, also in a 1925 Bentley, secured third place.

The four-day event, organised by the Endurance Rally Association, covered 726 miles and negotiated 13 Tests and 15 Regularities. It started at 1pm on Thursday 26th April and ended around 3:15pm on Sunday 29th April on the world-famous Royal Mile, with crews greeted by Frank Ross, Edinburgh’s Right Honourable Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost.

Amongst the Class winners were David Ayre and David Duncan in the newly repaired 1907 Itala, last year’s winners Paul Crosby and Ali Procter in the 1939 MG TB Supercharged, and Peter Lovett and David Richards, Chairman of the MSA, in the 1937 Frazer Nash BMW 328.

There were special awards for three of the 107 crews that crossed the start line at Brooklands Motor Museum on Thursday, as the event returned to its roots with an exciting new ‘Brooklands to Edinburgh’ route over four days of exceptional motoring.

The Spirit of the Rally award went to Jef and Anton Van Hoylandt in the 1934 Lagonda M45 Tourer, while the ‘Concours d’Elegance award went to Rob and Hayley Stoneman in the 1935 Alvis Firebird Special. The award for the Best Dressed Crew was split between two crews, with an award given to each of the navigators. Marina Goodwin in the 1934 Talbot 105 Alpine, with husband Graham, and Ann Boland in the 1929 Bentley 41/2, with husband Andrew, both received the accolade.

Rally Director Fred Gallagher said: “This event has got better and better year after year. The standard of cars and driving is excellent, but the credit must go to the navigators who face an intense challenge. Our thanks go to every crew and marshal who has contributed to this fantastic event over the past ten years.”

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